Apparatus and method for aligning downhole measurements

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods are described, such as for aligning downhole measurements. Apparatuses and methods include an arrangement of at least two tilted transmitters and at least one tilted receiver along a longitudinal axis of the tool. A first and second plurality of azimuthal measurements are processed to provide a first and a second plurality of higher order mode signals configured to be time-shifted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to systems having well loggingcapability.

BACKGROUND

In drilling wells for oil and gas exploration, understanding thestructure and properties of the geological formation surrounding aborehole provides information to aid such exploration. Further, duringdrilling operations determining a depth of the borehole assembly (BHA)can be an important factor. The usefulness of such measurements can berelated to the precision or quality of the measurement, so as to deriveaccurate formation information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment an apparatus havinga processing unit and a tool to determine properties downhole in a well,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tool having a tilted antenna design configurationsuch that multi-component measurements can be taken at any non-zero tiltangle for a transmitter and a receiver, according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tool having an asymmetric antenna configuration,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of exemplary amplitude field responses of thetool of FIG. 3, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of the amplitude field responses of FIG. 5after a depth shift mechanism has been applied, according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plot of the exemplary amplitude responses of FIG. 4in the time-domain, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a drill bit depth plot in the time domain, accordingto various embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a plot of the amplitude time-domain fieldresponses of FIG. 6 after a time-domain shift mechanism has beenapplied, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate inversion comparison plots of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a module example of a tool having a tilted antennadesign configuration, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of measuring aligning a plurality ofdownhole electromagnetic measurements, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example system having aprocessing unit and a tool to align measurements, according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates generally an example of a drilling apparatus, suchas including a measure-while-drilling (MWD) or log-while-drilling (LWD)capability.

FIG. 14 illustrates generally an example of a wireline loggingapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawingsthat show, by way of illustration and not limitation, variousembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice these and other embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized,and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made to theseembodiments. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutuallyexclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more otherembodiments to form new embodiments. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Apparatus and methods are described, such as for aligning downholesignals, including real-time electromagnetic measurements. A tool havingat least two tilted transmitters and at least one tilted receiver incommunication with the at least two tilted transmitters, configurationcan transmit and receive multiple signals in real-time. The tool canfurther be configured such that a fixed physical separation between thetilted transmitter and tilted receiver of each antenna set is selectedfor all antenna sets, as well as each tilted antenna set is a knowndistance from other antenna sets, wherein an antenna set includes atleast one tilted transmitter and at least one tilted receiver.

In an example, one tilted antenna set with a tilted transmitter and atilted receiver can be a known distance from a depth measurement device,such as a depth measurement device at a drill bit. In addition, theantenna set can be a known distance from another antenna set with atilted transmitter and a tilted receiver.

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include current methods of measuring formationproperties or depth during drilling operations, such as by a device ator near a drill bit, that introduce error, particularly in real-time.For example, a tool having a tilted antenna design can provide real-timesignals, such as amplitude, which can then be manipulated in time-domainso as to provide an accurate formation property measurement or a depthmeasurement in real-time, as compared to previous methods.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus 100 havinga processing unit 120 and a tool 105 to determine properties downhole ina well 102, such as a depth of the tool 105 in the well 102. Tool 105has an arrangement of transmitters and receivers 110-1, 110-2 . . .110-(N−1), 110-N to operate in conjunction with processing unit 120 totake real-time signals from the transmitters and receivers 110-1, 110-2. . . 110-(N−1), 110-N to determine the depth of the 105. Equivalent,similar, or identical control and processing of arrangements oftransmitters and receivers, as disclosed in various embodiments herein,provide a mechanism for these arrangements to align signals of thetransmitters and receivers 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N, such asin the time-domain. Although FIG. 1 shows multiple transmitters andreceivers, in an example the tool 105 can include at least twotransmitters and one receiver, such that the one receiver can providemultiple signals (e.g., from the at least two transmitters).

In an embodiment, an arrangement of transmitters and receivers 110-1,110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N can operate in conjunction with processingunit 120 to provide a depth measurement correlating a position of afirst transmitter 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N and a position ofa second transmitter 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N. Transmittersand receivers 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N can be oriented withrespect to longitudinal axis 107 of tool 105. Each of the transmittersand receivers 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N can be tilted withrespect to longitudinal axis 107. For example, each of the transmittersand receivers 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N can be tilted withrespect to longitudinal axis 107, such as an angle non-parallel to thelongitudinal axis 107 (e.g., not 0 degrees). Each sensor element (i.e.,transmitters and receivers) in arrangement of transmitters and receivers110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N can be realized as a coil element, atilted coil element, a wire element, a toroidal element, a solenoidelement, an electrode type element, a transducer, or other appropriateelectromagnetic based sensor. The selected sensors may operate invarious frequency ranges.

In an embodiment, an arrangement of transmitters and receivers 110-1,110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N can operate in conjunction with aprocessing unit 120 to provide a depth measurement correlating aposition of a first transmitter 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N anda position of a second transmitter 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-Nin time domain so as to adjust (e.g., correct) real-time depth, higherorder mode, or formation property measurements between two or morebottom hole assembly (BHA) positions. In such an embodiment, theapparatus can provide a more accurate depth measurement or formationproperty measurement for field operators, such as in real-time.

Processing unit 120 provides signals to selectively or continuallyactivate transmitters and acquire measurement signals at the arrangementof transmitters and receivers 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-(N−1), 110-N. Theprocessing unit 120 can be located downhole, such as at the tool 105 ordrill bit. In an example, the processing unit 120 can be at a surface.Processing unit 120 can control activation of the transmitters of tool105 and can acquire and process signals received from the receivers andtransmitters in tool 105 in real-time. In such examples, “real-time”includes common delays associated with transmitting signals from thewell 102 to the processing unit 120, such as material or physicalproperty delay attributes. As discussed herein, signals or measurementsinclude electromagnetic measurements.

Processing unit 120 can be located at the surface of well 102 operablyin communication with tool 105 via a communication mechanism. Such acommunication mechanism can be realized as a communication vehicle thatis standard for well operations. Processing unit 120 can be distributedalong the mechanism by which tool 105 is placed downhole in well 102.Processing unit 120 can be integrated with tool 105 such that processingunit 120 is operable downhole in well 102. Processing unit 120 can bedistributed along tool 105 or along a structure that delivers tool 105downhole.

In various embodiments, a processing methodology operatively alignsreal-time signals without a dedicated depth measurement sensor. The tool105 can be used as a measurements-while-drilling (MWD) tool such as alogging-while-drilling (LWD) tool. In addition, the tool 105 can beadapted as a wireline tool.

FIG. 2 illustrates a logging tool 200 (e.g., antenna) with a tiltedantenna design. The antenna 200 can be equipped in a rotating LWD orwireline tool. While firing the transmitter antenna 204, the signalmeasured received at the titled receiver 202 of FIG. 2 can be expressedin terms of the signal voltage V_(R) ^(T). Voltage responses ofazimuthal signals at the tilted receiver 202 in response to a firing ofa tilted transmitter 204 can be given by Eq. (1), expressed as:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{R}^{T}(\beta)} = {\lbrack {{( {\frac{C_{xx}}{2} - \frac{C_{yy}}{1}} )\cos \; 2\beta} + {( \frac{C_{yx} + C_{xy}}{2} )\sin \; 2\beta}} \rbrack + {\quad{{\lbrack {{( {C_{zx} + C_{xz}} )\cos \; \beta} + {( {C_{zy} + C_{yz}} )\sin \; \beta}} \rbrack + ( {C_{zz} + \frac{C_{xx}}{2} + \frac{C_{yy}}{2}} )} = {{V_{double}(\beta)} + {V_{single}(\beta)} + V_{const}}}}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

where,

-   C_(xx)=V_(xx) sin θ_(t) sin θ_(r); C_(xy)=V_(xy) sin θ_(t) sin    θ_(r); C_(xz)=V_(xz) sin θ_(t) cos θ_(r);-   C_(yx)=V_(yx) sin θ_(t) sin θ_(r); C_(yy)=V_(yy) sin θ_(t) sin    θ_(r); C_(yz)=V_(yz) sin θ_(t) cos θ_(r);-   C_(zx)=V_(zx) cos θ_(t) sin θ_(r); C_(zy)=V_(zy) cos θ_(t) cos    θ_(r); C_(zz)=V_(zz) cos θ_(t) cos θ_(r);    and where,

${V_{double}(\beta)} = {{( {\frac{C_{xx}}{2} - \frac{C_{yy}}{2}} )\cos \; 2\beta} + {( \frac{C_{yx} + C_{xy}}{2} )\sin \; 2\beta}}$V_(single)(β) = (C_(zx) + C_(xz))cos  β + (C_(zy) + C_(yz))sin  β$V_{const} = {C_{zz} + \frac{C_{xx}}{2} + \frac{C_{yy}}{2}}$

Further, where β is the tool azimuth, θ_(t) is the tilt angle of thetransmitter related to the z-axis 201, θ_(r) is the tilt angle of thereceiver related to the z-axis direction, V_(ij) is a complex valuerepresenting the signal amplitude and phase shift measured by thereceiver j orientated in x-, y-, or z-directional dipole in response tothe firing of the transmitter i orientated in x-, y-, or z-directionaldipole. Consequently, nine different coupling components can be obtainedas shown in the equations above.

As shown in Eq. (1), by applying a sinusoidal fitting function orFourier transform, the azimuthal signals can be decoupled into threedistinct signals V_(double)(β), V_(single)(β), and V_(const), thatpresents a sinusoidal wave with double periods, a sinusoidal wave with asingle period, and a constant signal with respect to the tool 200azimuth angle β per rotation, respectively, wherein V_(double)(β) andV_(single)(β) can generally be considered higher order mode signals. Thedouble sinusoidal response, V_(double)(β), can be expressed as:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{double}(\beta)} = {{\lbrack {{( \frac{V_{xx} - V_{yy}}{2} )\cos \; 2\beta} + {( \frac{V_{yx} + V_{xy}}{2} )\sin \; 2\beta}} \rbrack \sin \; \theta_{t}\sin \; \theta_{r}} = {A_{double}\sin \; \theta_{t}\sin \; \theta_{r}{\cos ( {{2\beta} - \beta_{s}} )}}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where,

$A_{double} = \sqrt{( \frac{V_{xx} - V_{yy}}{2} )^{2} + ( \frac{V_{yx} + V_{xy}}{2} )^{2}}$$\beta_{s} = {\tan^{- 1}( \frac{V_{yx} + V_{xy}}{V_{xx} - V_{yy}} )}$

Therefore, given the same formation model, the same operating frequencyand the same spacing between the transmitters and receiver antenna, theamplitude A_(double) is constant to any tilt angle for the transmitterand for the receiver as long as the tilt angle is not zero. This canfurther been seen by FIGS. 4-8, where A_(double) is relatively constantfor a given measurement when a depth shift or time shift is taken intoaccount, as described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tool 302 including an asymmetric antennaconfiguration, according to various embodiments. The tool 302 includestwo transmitter antennas T_(up), 304-1 and T_(dn) 304-2. Further, thetool 302 includes two receiver antennas R_(up) 306-1 and R_(dn) 306-2.The transmitters 304-1, 304-2 and receivers 306-1, 306-2 are tiltedrelative to a longitudinal axis 300 of the tool 302. For example, angles310, 312, 314, 316 can be any non-zero angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis 300, such as 45°. The configuration in FIG. 3 ismerely shown for ease of description and should not be taken aslimiting. For example, as described with respect to FIG. 10, the toolcan include at least two modules where each module is equipped with onetransmitter and one receiver. According to the principle of reciprocity,one should expect that one antenna may be applied as a transmitter inone implementation and as a receiver at another. The configurations oftransmitters-receivers antenna system disclosed herein can beinterchangeable (e.g., transmitters can be used as receivers andreceivers can be used as transmitters).

The first transmitter antenna 304-1 can be disposed longitudinally above(e.g., in the positive z-direction) the second transmitter antenna304-2. The first receiver antenna 306-1 and the second receiver antenna306-2 can be defined longitudinal distance 318 disposed from oneanother. Further, the receiver antennas 306-1, 306-2 can be arrangedequidistant along the longitudinal axis 300 on either side of areference location, such as center line C, which is at a midpointbetween the two receiver antennas 306-1, 306-2. The first receiverantenna 306-1 can be disposed between the first transmitter antenna304-1 and the second receiver antenna 306-2. A first longitudinaldistance 322-1 from the first transmitter antenna 304-1 to the secondreceiver antenna 306-2 can be equal to a second longitudinal distance322-2 from the second transmitter antenna 304-2 to the first receiverantenna 306-1. For example, the first transmitter antenna 304-1 can bedisposed in the positive z-direction from the first receiver antenna306-1 a distance 320-1. The second transmitter antenna 304-2 can bedisposed in the negative z-direction from the second receiver antenna306-2 a distance 320-2. In an example, the distances 320-1 and 320-2 areequal.

Further, the tool 302 can include a first and second reference point305-1 and 305-2, wherein the first reference point 305-1 is associatedwith the first transmitter 304-1 and the first receiver 306-1 and thesecond reference point 305-2 is associated with the second transmitter304-2 and the second receiver 306-2. In general, as described herein, areference point is defined as a center point of a transmitter and areceiver set where the measurement is associated. For example, the firstreference point 305-1 can be a center point between the firsttransmitter 304-1 and the first receiver 306-1, such as half thedistance 320-1.

In an example, the tool 302 can include a processing unit (not shown)configured to control activation of the transmitter and receiverantennas and to process signals associated with the transmitters andreceivers in accordance with the various methods described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot 400 of the amplitude A_(double) of fieldresponses from the tool 302 of FIG. 3 that have been post-processmanipulated to provide a given depth for each response. As describedherein, depth refers to the measured depth of the borehole, as opposedto the true value depth (TVD), which is perpendicular to a horizontalplane, such as the surface. The post-process manipulated responsesreceived at the upper receiver R_(up) 306-1 in response to the uppertransmitter T_(up) 304-1 are shown as line 402 and the post-processmanipulated responses received at the lower receiver R_(dn) 306-2 inresponse to from the lower transmitter T_(dn) 304-2 are shown 404. Asdescribed herein, post-process includes a time after a drillingoperation, such as LWD or MWD described herein (e.g., not real-time).Real-time can include a time during a drilling operation, such as LWD orMWD as described herein. The depth in feet is plotted on the y-axis andthe amplitude A_(double) in volts is plotted on the x-axis.

FIG. 4 provides exemplary calculated A_(double) values for a 28 inchdistance between T_(up) 304-1 and R_(up) 306-1 (e.g., 320-1) and betweenT_(dn) 304-2 and R_(dn) 306-2 (e.g., 320-2), and for an 8 inch distance318 between R_(up) 306-1 and R_(dn) 306-2, although embodiments are noso limited. As described herein, the distances 320-1 and 320-2 can beany known distance, such as about 8 inches to about 50 feet based ondifferent operating frequencies and various applications. As describedherein, the distance 322 must be known to accurately correlate theresponses received at R_(up) 306-1 from T_(up) 304-1 (e.g.,T_(up)−R_(up)) with those received at R_(dn) 306-2 from T_(dn) 304-2(e.g., T_(dn)−R_(dn)). That is, in order to process the plurality ofazimuthal measurements, using Eqs. (1) and (2), associated with bothT_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn) the tool should meet the configurationdescription herein.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, depth delay from the responses of the lowertransmitter T_(dn) 304-2 received at R_(dn) 306-2, line 404, is evidentby the “lag” in the R_(up) 306-1 responses relative to T_(up) 304-1,line 402. That is, when a signal associated with the second referencepoint 305-2 is received at R_(dn) 306-2 from the T_(dn) 304-2transmitter and a signal associated with the first reference point 305-1is received at R_(up) 306-1 from the T_(up) 304-1 transmitter, the depthof the second reference point 305-2 will be larger than the depth of thefirst reference point 305-1 due to the location of each transmitter onthe tool. The reference point of a measurement, as described herein, canbe used for interpreting downhole depth of a particular tool measurementbased on depth device at drill bit. As such, continuing with the exampleof the distances 320-1 and 320-2 being 28 inches and the distance 318being 8 inches, the “lag” visualized in FIG. 4 therefore correlates to adistance of 36 inches due to physical antenna locations on the tool.That is, the depth delay or lag corresponds to the distance between thefirst and second reference points 305-1, 305-2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plot 500 indicating the amplitude A_(double) plotof FIG. 4 after a post-process depth-shifting procedure. For example,the depth delay, as described in connection with FIG. 4, can be appliedto the T_(dn)−R_(dn) measurement such that the responses ofT_(up)−R_(up) 502 and T_(dn)−R_(dn) 504 more closely correspond. Forexample, the determined depth delay of 36 inches can be removed from thedepth measurements associated with responses of T_(dn)−R_(dn). That is,the plot 500 illustrates the responses from T_(up)−R_(up) 502corresponding to the responses of T_(dn)−R_(dn) 504 after a post-processdepth-shift mechanism has been applied. The depth-shift mechanismincludes taking into account the physical distance between the first andsecond reference points 305-1, 305-2 of each measured signal todetermine required depth delay for T_(dn)−R_(dn) measurements, such asfor example 36 inches as shown in FIG. 3. The substantially matchingresults in FIG. 5 demonstrate a mimic operation of symmetrical toolantenna structure based on asymmetrical tool structure in FIG. 3.

It is important to note that this depth shift measurement is donepost-process (e.g., not real time), as opposed to the time-shiftmechanism discussed herein. FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided to show that forthe asymmetrical design shown in FIG. 3 the A_(double) responses for thetransmitters T_(up) and T_(dn) are in-fact substantially equal at thesame depth and frequency. Consequently, this amplitude correlation canbe utilized in real-time. Depth shift in real time may require accuratedepth measurements for every tool at every location. Generally speaking,depth at a drill bit is known in LWD real-time application, andreal-time depth for tools in other BHA sections can be interpreted basedon the drill bit depth. However, due to a dog-leg or other LWD drillingconditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.), interpreted real-timedepth may not be accurate enough, such that applying the depth delaybased on real-time depth measurements may not suffice. More accuratedepth delay or time-delay calculations on tool measurements permitcorresponding inversion products (e.g., formation anisotropy, relativedip, or other formation properties) to be more accurate, as describedherein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plot 600 of a first and second plurality of higherorder mode signals, such as the real-time amplitude A_(double) of thefield responses (e.g., electromagnetic measurements) measured at thereceiver R_(up) 306-1 from the transmitters T_(up) 304-1 (T_(up)−R_(up))and measured at R_(dn) 306-2 from the transmitter T_(dn) (T_(dn)−R_(dn))304-2 of FIG. 3, in the time-domain. That is, the calculated A_(double)of the azimuthal measurements of T_(up)−R_(up), shown as line 602, andT_(dn)−R_(dn), shown as line 604, are plotted on the x-axis and the timeat which each of the responses is received is plotted on the y-axis.FIG. 6 can be created by calculating A_(double) using Eq. (2) for theplurality of received field responses, such as azimuthal measurements.

A recording start time can be established, such as 0 seconds, to producethe plot FIG. 6. The recording start time can be include any time fromthe beginning of a drilling operation to the end of the drillingoperation, such that an end time of recording can provide sufficientdata to perform the time-shift mechanism described herein. Sufficientdata can include enough data in time-domain that correlates to at leasta distance from the first reference point 305-1 to the second referencepoint 305-2 or the distance from the drill bit depth measuring device toeither the first or second reference points 305-1 and 305-2, asdescribed herein. In an example, at the recording start time, the drillbit depth measurement device records a depth while the at least oneantenna set measures formation properties.

In an example, real-time formation measurements for one set ofmeasurements, such as T_(dn)−R_(dn) 604 of FIG. 6, can be obtained orrecorded, and correlated to a depth measurement device at a drill bit,as described in reference to FIG. 10. For example, a distance from thedepth measurement device at the drill bit to the second reference point305-2 can be known, such that subtracting that distance from themeasured depth at the drill bit provides the depth of the secondreference point 305-2 downhole. In an example, the distance from theselected reference point to the drill bit depth measurement device isminimized, so as to reduce potential error from a non-linear borehole.Another set of measurements, such as T_(up)−R_(up) as line 602, can becorrelated with measurements 604 so that more accurate depthmeasurements for the set of measurements 602 can be calculated byapplying alignment methods to FIG. 6.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, at around 2600 seconds there is a peakamplitude A_(double) for the T_(dn)−R_(dn) measurements 604. One candetermine, such as by the method as described herein in reference to atleast FIG. 8, that at time of around 2782 seconds the T_(up)−R_(up)measurements 602 record a similar peak amplitude A_(double) as theT_(dn)−R_(dn) measurements 604. As described herein, the T_(dn)−R_(dn)antenna set and T_(up)−R_(up) antenna set have the same amplitudeA_(double) for a given depth and operating frequency. Therefore, it canbe determined that when the T_(up)−R_(up) measurements 602 record thesame peak amplitude A_(double) at 2782 seconds, the first referencepoint 305-1 is at the same location downhole as when the secondreference point 305-2 recorded a peak amplitude A_(double) at 2600seconds. That is, the time delay in real-time between the secondreference point 305-2 and the first reference point 305-1 is 182seconds. Consequently, time-domain shifting either the T_(up)−R_(up)measurements 602 up (e.g., back in time) 182 seconds or shifting theT_(dn)−R_(dn) measurements 604 down (e.g., ahead in time) 182 will alignthe amplitude A_(double) measurements in the time-domain in real-time.

As described herein, it can be advantageous to shift the measurementsassociated reference point(s) further away from the drill bitmeasurement device (e.g., 305-1) to correlate with the measurementsassociated with the reference point closest to the drill bit measurementdevice (e.g., 305-2), so as to reduce error when determining a depthdownhole in real-time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the real-time depth taken at the drill bitdepth measurement device at 2600 seconds is 8140 feet. The drill bitdepth can be correlated to the depth of the second reference point 305-2at 2600 seconds by subtracting the known distance between themeasurement device and the second reference point 305-2. As an example,assuming the second reference point is 24 inches from the drill bitdepth measurement device, although embodiments are not so limited, thedepth of the second reference point 305-2 at 2600 seconds is 8138 feet,and as such, the amplitude A_(double) at 8138 feet is equal to the peakamplitude A_(double). Further, the distance from the first referencepoint 305-1 to the second reference point 305-2 is known to be 36inches, as discussed herein. Therefore, since the peak amplitudeA_(double) values aligns with a time shift of 182 seconds and theA_(double) values are equal at the same depth, it is known that thefirst reference point 305-1 traveled 36 inches in the time frame of 182seconds. This can further provide an approximate velocity of the tool ordrill bit of about 36 inches/182 seconds or 0.1978 inches/second.

Additionally, the real-time time-depth shift aligning the peak amplitudeA_(double) measurements of the antenna sets 602 and 604 can provide thedepth of the remaining reference point 305-1. The calculated depth forthe T_(up)−R_(up) measurement reference point 305-1 at 2782 seconds isequal to the depth of the second reference point minus the knowndistance between the two reference points or 8135 feet (e.g., 8138ft.-36 inches). That is, for this example the time delay forT_(up)−R_(up) measurement 602 is 182 seconds, indicating a physicaldepth delay of 36 inches (e.g., 322-1 in FIG. 3). Referencing the plotof FIG. 7 the drill bit depth device indicates 35.68 inches in real-timedepth measurements over a 182 second time frame. This difference can bereduced by installing the tilted antenna set T_(dn)−R_(dn) at drill bitor closer to the drill bit so that all calculated depth measurements forother antenna sets, such as T_(up)−R_(up) signals, can be referenced toreal-time bit depth. In another example, the depth measurement devicecan be installed at a reference point, such that all other antenna setscan acquire calculated real-time depths by using proposed alignmentmethods in time-domain signals and reference the depth measurementdevice at the reference point. It should be noted, that due to stickslip or the like, the provided real-time depth measurements in FIG. 7can register the same depth (in x axis of FIG. 7) over a given timeframe (in y axis of FIG. 7).

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate one method of time-shifting, in real-time,downhole measurements. For example, sample variance S_(N) of each signalcan be used to align the T_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn) field response,where:

$\begin{matrix}{S_{N} = {\frac{1}{N}\sqrt{{\Sigma_{i = 1}^{N}( {x_{i} - \overset{\_}{x}} )}^{2}}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

where, x_(i) is the signal at point I, N is the number of selectedpoints and x is the sample mean within the selected points. As discussedin connection with Eq. (1), the amplitude A_(double), in theory, remainsthe same relative to the same spacing and same operating frequencymeasurement at the same downhole location. However, in practice theamplitude A_(double) can vary due to temperature effects, drillingconditions, or system noises. By using sample variance S_(N) to alignthe field responses of T_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn) the effect ofthese variances can be reduced. FIG. 8A illustrates a plot of the samplevariances S_(N) of each field measurement for both T_(up)−R_(up) 802 andT_(dn)−R_(dn) 804 for the measurements in FIG. 6. The selected points Ncan be defined as a time window corresponding to a peak, such as, forexample, the peak around 2600 seconds shown in FIG. 6. Further, a slopeof each individual signal can be calculated and used to correlate theresponses from T_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn). Other patternrecognition techniques understood in the art can be employed tocorrelation the signals of T_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn). In anexample, the selected points N can be defined by a user preference. Thatis, the T_(up)−R_(up) 602 and T_(dn)−R_(dn) 604 can be correlated (e.g.,time shift) according to similarity or a common parameter, as describedherein.

A single time-domain shift can be calculated over the selected timewindow. As such, the more time data collected (e.g., a larger timewindow) the more similarities can be determined and a better alignmentbetween T_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn) signals can be achieved.However, the less time data collected (e.g., a smaller time window) canimprove accuracy of LWD depth measurements while drilling. In theory,the calculated depth shift based on time-domain should be the same asthe actual distance (e.g., 322-1, 322-2). However, temperature orpressure within the well (e.g., 102, FIG. 1) can affect the distance322-1 or 322-2, such as increasing or decreasing the distance. Thetime-domain shift mechanism herein can determine that difference, ifany. As seen in FIG. 8A, and discussed herein, there is a time delay of182 between the measurements 802 and 804. FIG. 8B shifts themeasurements associated with T_(dn)−R_(dn) 804 antenna set down (e.g.,ahead in time) 182 seconds, in order to align with the measurementsassociated with T_(up)−R_(up) 802 antenna set. In an example, themeasurements 802 can shift upward (e.g., back in time) or the twomeasurement plots 802 and 804 could both shift so as to combine for atotal shift of 182 seconds.

In an example, due to the tilted antenna configuration and the relatedEq. (1), amplitude of A_(double) in real-time can be utilized tocorrelate T_(up)−R_(up) measurement and T_(dn)−R_(dn) measurementwithout knowing corresponding depth records of the upper antenna set andlower antenna set. For example, at least one of T_(up)−R_(up) orT_(dn)−R_(dn) antenna sets can be a known distance from the drill bit,including a depth measurement device of the drill bit. Further, thedistance between T_(up)−R_(up) and T_(dn)−R_(dn) can be known. Thetime-shift determined to produce FIG. 8B can be correlated with theknown distance between the drill bit and the at least one tilted antennaset, as described herein.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate that formation properties determined with thetime-shift mechanism, described herein in connection with FIGS. 6-8B,correlates with different techniques, such as a depth shift mechanism.For example, determination on formation properties (e.g., Rh and Rv) canbe achieved based on asymmetrical antenna structure and depth delaycompensation. Other shift mechanisms, such as a depth shift denoted bysolid line 902 in FIGS. 9A and 9B, are available in post-processing dueto the requirement of high depth accuracy in real-time application. Theproposed time-domain shift mechanism described herein can provideformation properties post-process or real-time, as shown by dashed line904 in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIG. 10 illustrates a module configuration 1000 embodiment including aplurality of tilted antenna configuration modules 1002-(N-i), . . .1002-N . . . 1002-(N+i), wherein N represents any number of modules 1002and (i) represents position relative to module N, such as −i, −3, −4,−2, −1, +1, +2, +3, +4, such that a positive (i) position represents alocation further downhole toward a drill bit 1111. In such an example,each module can include a single transmitter and a single receiver,wherein each module is operated at a substantially similar frequency toproduce a corresponding measurement and wherein the separation betweenthe transmitter and the receiver of each module is the same. Such aconfiguration, can have the time-shifting mechanism, described herein,applied to the multiple measurements (e.g., at least two) from theavailable multiple modules. Although multiple modules 1002-(N−i), . . .1002-N . . . 1002-(N+i) are shown, it is contemplated that the tool(e.g., 302, FIG. 3) can include a single module. In such an example, thesingle module includes at least two transmitters and at least onereceiver operated at substantially the same operating frequency suchthat two measurements can be provided at the receiver (e.g., from eachtransmitter). Substantially similar frequencies include frequencies withabout 5%, about 2%, about 1%, or about 0.5% or less than one another. Asshown, each module 1002 can include at least one transmitter antenna1008 and at least one receiver antenna 1010, each transmitter antenna1008 and receiver antenna 1010 tilted relative to the longitudinal axis1012. The transmitter antennas 1008 and receiver antennas 1010 can beconfigured as described herein. That is, the position of the transmitter1008 or receiver 1010 can be flipped or switched in each module1002-(N−i), . . . 1002-N . . . 1002-(N+i).

As shown, a distance 1115 can be known between a depth measurementdevice 1113 of the drill bit 1111 and a known location, such as a center1004, of the module 1002-N, where the center point 1004 can include aprocessor as described herein.

As described herein in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, at the recordingstart time (e.g., time 0) the depth of the depth measurement device 1113can be taken. Further, at the recording start time the transmitters ofthe modules 1008-(N−i) . . . 1008-N . . . 1008-(N+i) can begindiscreetly or continuously recording voltage or amplitude A_(double).After the desired number of amplitude measurements have been obtained atime shift between the transmitter 1008-N and other transmitters1008-(N−i) . . . 1008-(N+i) can be determined as described herein. Forexample, a transmitter 1008-(N−i) can be considered T_(up) at a knowndistance 1006-(N−i) from transmitter 1008-N, or T_(dn). Because thedistance between 1008-N and 1113 is known, 1115, the depth at theinitial recording time of T_(dn) can also be known by a simple addition.Applying the known distance 1006-(N−i) between the transmitters1008-(N−i) and 1008-N, along with the calculated time-shift, the depthof each transmitter can be determined in real time.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of method 1100 for aligning aplurality of downhole electromagnetic measurements, such as in real-timeor post drilling process. At 1102, a first transmitter antenna along alongitudinal axis of an arrangement can be activated at an initial time.The first transmitter antenna can be configured to operate at anoperating frequency, as described herein. At 1104, a second transmitterantenna, along the longitudinal axis of the arrangement, and disposedfrom the first transmitter antenna, can be activated at the initialtime. In an example, the second transmitter antenna can be configured tooperate at substantially the same operating frequency. The first andsecond transmitter antennas can be tilted with respect to thelongitudinal axis, as described herein.

At 1106, a first plurality of azimuthal measurements can be collected inreal-time, such as at a first receiver along the longitudinal axis. Thefirst receiver antenna can be tilted with respect to the longitudinalaxis. The first receiver and the first transmitter antenna can be aknown distance apart, such that a first reference point is locatedequidistant between the first receiver antenna and first transmitterantenna. The first plurality of azimuthal measurements can be associatedwith the first transmitter antenna, such as the first reference point.

At 1108, a second plurality of azimuthal measurements can be collectedin real-time, such as at a second receiver along the longitudinal axis.The second receiver antenna can be tilted with respect to thelongitudinal axis. The second receiver and the second transmitterantenna can be a known distance apart, such that a second referencepoint is located equidistant between the second receiver antenna andsecond transmitter antenna. The second plurality of azimuthalmeasurements can be associated with the second transmitter antenna, suchas the second reference point. The first plurality of azimuthalmeasurements and the second plurality of signals can be offset from eachother in the time-domain, such as described herein. In an example, thedistance between the first transmitter antenna and the first receiverantenna can be substantially equal to the distance between the secondtransmitter antenna and the second receiver antenna. Substantial equaldistances include distances within about 5%, about 2%, about 1%, orabout 0.5% or less of each other. Further, in an example, the first andsecond receiver antennas can be a known distance apart, such that thefirst and second reference points are a known distance apart.

Further, once the first and second transmitter/receiver antennas areactivated they can run continuously or discreetly, such as at a giveninterval. The arrangement of transmitters and receivers can be includedon a tool, such as tool 302 of FIG. 3 and described herein.

The first and second plurality of azimuthal measurements can becollected over a predetermined time interval beginning from the initialrecording time. For example, from the beginning of a drilling operationto the end of a drilling operation or any time interval therein. In anexample, collecting the plurality of azimuthal measurements can includecollecting within time-domain, such that each measurement of theplurality of azimuthal measurements is associated with a time, the firsttransmitter/receiver antennas or the second transmitter/receiverantenna, and amplitude. That is, the each collected measurement can beassociated with the respective transmitter antenna and the respectivereceiver antenna.

At 1110, the first plurality of azimuthal measurements can be processedto produce a corresponding first plurality of higher order mode signals,such as A_(double) signals. At 1112, the second plurality of azimuthalmeasurements can be processed to produce a corresponding secondplurality of higher order mode signals, such as A_(double) signals.

At 1114, the first plurality of signals and the second plurality ofsignals can be aligned in the time-domain by a time shift. In variousmethods associated with the method 1100, aligning 1114 can includeidentifying a similarity between the first plurality of signals and thesecond plurality of signals and time-shifting the first or secondplurality signals such that the identified similarity of the first andthe second plurality of signals corresponds to the time-domain of eitherthe first plurality of signals or the second plurality of signals. Asimilarity can include at least one of a peak, a slope, a samplevariance, a derivate, and other pattern classification algorithmsconfigured to recognize similarity, patterns or the like.

In various methods associated with the method 1100, the method caninclude determining a common parameter, including at least one of aslope, a peak, and a sample variance, of at least a portion of the firstplurality of signals and at least a portion of the second plurality ofsignals and. correlating the portion of the first plurality of signalsand the portion of the second plurality of signals in the time-domainbased on the common parameter. In an example, the sample variances canbe correlated such that the responses of the first transmitter antennaor the second transmitter antenna can be time shifted. By using thesample variance method, the benefit of at least reducing systemvariances, such as temperature effects, drilling conditions, or systemnoises.

In various methods associated with the method 1100, the calculatedtime-domain shift, as described herein, can be used in connection with adepth measurement to determine in real-time the depth of the tool,including the transmitters and receivers. In an example, the method 1100can include obtaining, at a drill bit, a drill bit depth measurement atthe initial recording time. The drill bit depth measurement can be takendiscretely or continuously over the time interval. The drill bit can bea known distance from at least one of the first and second referencepoints. Further, the depth of the drill bit, such as from the drill bitdepth measurements, can be correlated with the depth of at least one ofthe first and second reference points, as described herein.

In an example, the time-shift can be correlated to the known distancebetween the first and second reference points, so as to determine avelocity of the tool, as described herein.

In an example the method can include: 1) obtaining a drill bit depth ofa drill bit at an initial recording time; 2) collecting, in real-time, afirst plurality of electromagnetic measurements at an operatingfrequency from a first tilted transmitter antenna and a first tiltedreceiver antenna, separated from each other by a first longitudinaldistance and disposed equidistant about a first reference point, thefirst reference point a known second longitudinal distance from thedrill bit; 3) collecting, in real-time, a second plurality ofelectromagnetic measurements, at substantially the same operatingfrequency, from a second tilted transmitter antenna and a second tiltedreceiver antenna, separated by substantially the same first longitudinaldistance and disposed equidistant from a second reference point,different than the first reference point; 4) collecting, in real-time, athird plurality of electromagnetic measurements, at substantially thesame operating frequency, from a third tilted transmitter antenna and athird tilted receiver antenna, separated by substantially the same firstlongitudinal distance and disposed equidistant about a third referencepoint, different than the first and second reference points; 5)processing the first, second, and third plurality of electromagneticmeasurements to produce a corresponding first, second, and thirdplurality of A_(double) signals, respectively; 6) determining a depth ofthe first reference point, based on the drill bit depth at the initialrecording time and the known second distance; 7) aligning the firstplurality of A_(double) signals with the second plurality of A_(double)signals in the time-domain by a first time-shift; and 8) aligning thefirst plurality of A_(double) signals with the third plurality ofA_(double) signals in the time-domain by a second time-shift. Theexemplary method described herein is numbered for ease of organizationand should not be taken as limiting and order in which the method can beperformed.

The method 1100, as well as the various methods described in associationwith the method 100, can include a logging-while-drilling method.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram of features of an example system 1200having a processing unit and a tool to operatively provide measurementsto align real-time signals. System 1210 includes a sensor tool 1205having an arrangement of transmitters 1215 and receivers 1210 in whichmeasurement signals can be acquired in the arrangement of transmittersand receivers in response to activating one or more transmitters in thearrangement, where processing the collected signals from the receiversand transmitter provides measurements such that the tool can determine adepth measurement without the use of a dedicated depth measurementdevice. An implementation of sensor tool 1205 can provide an asymmetricantenna LWD tool, which may not be physically implementable directly asa LWD tool. The arrangements of transmitters and receivers of sensortool 1205 can be realized in similar or identical manner to arrangementsdiscussed herein.

System 1200 can also include a controller 1262, a memory 1264, anelectronic apparatus 1268, and a communications unit 1266. Controller1262, memory 1264, and communications unit 1266 can be arranged tocontrol operation of sensor tool 1205 in a manner similar or identicalto a processing unit discussed herein. Various components of system 1200can operate together as a processing unit to provide control andprocessing for sensor tool 1205 to correlate a first tilted antennaposition with a second antenna position in time-domain. Controller 1262,memory 1264, and electronic apparatus 1268 can be realized to activatetransmitter antennas and receiver antennas in accordance withmeasurement procedures and signal processing as described herein.Communications unit 1266 can include downhole communications in adrilling operation. Such downhole communications can include a telemetrysystem.

System 1200 can also include a bus 1263, where bus 1263 provideselectrical conductivity among the components of system 1200. Bus 1263can include an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, eachindependently configured. Bus 1263 can also use common conductive linesfor providing one or more of address, data, or control, the use of whichcan be regulated by controller 1262. Bus 1263 can be configured suchthat the components of system 1200 are distributed. Such distributioncan be arranged between downhole components such as transmitters andreceivers of sensor tool 1205 and components that can be disposed on thesurface. Alternatively, the components can be co-located such as on oneor more collars of a drill string or on a wireline structure.

In various embodiments, peripheral devices 1267 can include displays,additional storage memory, and/or other control devices that may operatein conjunction with controller 1262 and/or memory 1264. In anembodiment, controller 1262 is a processor. Peripheral devices 1267 canbe arranged with a display can be used with instructions stored inmemory 1264 to implement a user interface to manage the operation ofsensor tool 1205 and/or components distributed within system 1200. Sucha user interface can be operated in conjunction with communications unit1266 and bus 1263. Various components of system 1200 can be integratedwith sensor tool 1205 such that processing identical to or similar tothe processing schemes discussed with respect to various embodimentsherein can be performed downhole in the vicinity of the measurement.

The phrase “processor-readable medium” shall be taken to include anytangible non-transitory device which is capable of storing or encoding asequence of instructions for execution by the machine and that causesthe machine to perform any one of the described and/or claimedmethodologies. Such a processor-readable medium includes amachine-readable medium or computer readable medium. The term“non-transitory medium” expressly includes all forms of storage devices,including drives (optical, magnetic, etc.) and all forms of memorydevices (e.g., Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Flash (of allstorage designs, including NAND or NOR topologies), Static Random AccessMemory (SRAM), Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM), phase changememory, etc., as well as all other structures designed to storeinformation of any type for later retrieval.

In an electrical context, use of the phrase “coupled” or “coupling” mayrefer to either direct coupling, such as conductive electrical coupling(e.g., as in the example of excitation currents conductively coupledinto a formation), or indirect coupling (e.g., wireless, reactive, orelectromagnetic coupling). In the mechanical context, “coupled” or“coupling” may refer to a direct mechanical connection, or an indirectmechanical connection through one or more other mechanical portions ofan example.

FIG. 13 illustrates generally an example of a drilling apparatus 1300,such as including a measure-while-drilling (MWD) or log-while-drilling

(LWD) capability. The illustrative example of FIG. 13 may includeapparatus such as shown in FIG. 3, or may be used with techniquesdiscussed in relation to FIGS. 4-9. A drilling rig or platform 1302generally includes a derrick 1304 or other supporting structure, such asincluding or coupled to a hoist 1306. The hoist 1306 may be used forraising or lowering equipment or other apparatus such as drill string1308. The drill string 1308 may access a borehole 1316, such as througha well head 1312. The lower end of the drill string 1308 may includevarious apparatus, such as a drill head 1314, such as to provide theborehole 1316.

A drilling fluid or “mud” may be circulated in the annular region aroundthe drill head 1314 or elsewhere, such as provided to the borehole 1316through a supply pipe 1322, circulated by a pump 1320, and returning tothe surface to be captured in a retention pit 1324 or sump. Various subsor tool assemblies may be located along the drill string 1308, such asinclude a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 1326 or a second sub 1328.

As the BHA 1326 or second sub 1328 pass through various regions of aformation 1318, information may be obtained. For example, the BHA 1326,or the second sub 1328, may include apparatus such as shown in theexamples of FIG. 3, such as to obtain a depth measurement. The secondsub 1328 may include wireless telemetry or logging capabilities, orboth, such as to transmit or later provide information indicative of aformation resistivity to operators on the surface or for later access inevaluation of formation 1318 properties, including depth. For example,portions 1330 of the apparatus 1300 at the surface may include one ormore of wireless telemetry, processor circuitry, or memory facilities,such as to support log-while-drilling (LWD) ormeasurement-while-drilling (MWD) operations.

FIG. 14 illustrates generally an example of a wireline loggingapparatus. The illustrative example of FIG. 14 may include apparatussuch as shown in FIG. 3, or may be used with techniques discussed inrelation to FIGS. 4-9. Similar to the example of FIG. 13, a hoist 1406may be included as a portion of a platform 1402, such as coupled to aderrick 1404, and used to raise or lower equipment such as a wirelinesonde 1450 into or out of a borehole. In this wireline example, a cable1442 may provide a communicative coupling between a logging facility1444 (e.g., including a processor circuit 1445 or other storage orcontrol circuitry) and the sonde 1450. In this manner, information aboutthe formation 1418 may be obtained, such as using an array laterologtool included as at least a portion of the sonde 1450 as discussed inother examples herein.

For purposes of illustration, the examples of FIGS. 13 and 14 show avertically-oriented borehole configuration. However, the apparatus andtechniques described herein may also be used in other boreholeconfigurations, such as a borehole including a horizontal penetrationdirection, or an oblique borehole configuration, for example. Theexamples of FIGS. 13 and 14 also generally illustrate land-basedexamples. But, apparatus and techniques described herein may be used inoffshore environments as well, such as for subsea operations. Inparticular, offshore or subsea operations may include use of wireline orLWD/MWD apparatus and techniques including aspects of the examplesherein.

To better illustrate the apparatus and method for aligning downholemeasurements disclosed herein, a non-limiting list of examples isprovided:

Example 1 can include a method of aligning a plurality of downholeelectromagnetic measurements, comprising: activating, at an initialrecording time, a first transmitter antenna in an arrangement along alongitudinal axis, the first transmitter antenna activated at anoperating frequency; activating, at the initial recording time, a secondtransmitter antenna in the arrangement, the second transmitter antennadisposed longitudinally from the first transmitter antenna along thelongitudinal axis, the second transmitter antenna activated atsubstantially the same operating frequency as the first transmitterantenna; collecting at a first receiver antenna a first plurality ofazimuthal measurements associated with the first transmitter antenna;collecting at a second receiver antenna a second plurality of azimuthalmeasurements associated with the second transmitter antenna; processingthe first plurality of azimuthal measurements to produce a correspondingfirst plurality of higher order mode signals; processing the secondplurality of azimuthal measurements to produce a corresponding secondplurality of higher order mode signals; and aligning the first pluralityof higher order mode signals and the second plurality of higher ordermode signals in the time-domain by a time-shift.

Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Example 1, wherein the first and second transmitter antennasare separated by the first and second receiver antennas and arrangedalong the longitudinal axis of a tool with the first transmitterantenna, the second transmitter antenna, the first receiver antenna, andthe second receiver antenna having a non-zero angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis.

Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-2, wherein a firstlongitudinal distance from the first transmitter antenna to the firstreceiver antenna is substantially equal to a second longitudinaldistance from the second transmitter antenna to the second receiverantenna.

Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3, wherein the operatingfrequency is selected according to the first or second longitudinaldistance.

Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4, wherein the firsttransmitter antenna and the first receiver antenna are spacedapproximately equidistant from a first reference point, wherein thefirst plurality of higher order mode signals is associated with thefirst reference point; and the second transmitter antenna and the secondreceiver antenna are spaced approximately equidistant from a secondreference point, wherein the second plurality of higher order modesignals is associated with the second reference point.

Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-5, wherein the first andsecond plurality of azimuthal measurements are collected over apredetermined time interval.

Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-6, wherein the aligningfurther comprises: identifying a similarity as an identified similaritybetween the first plurality of higher order mode signals and the secondplurality of higher order mode signals; and time-shifting the first orsecond plurality of higher order mode signals such that the identifiedsimilarity corresponds to the time-domain of either the first pluralityof higher order mode signals or the second plurality of higher ordermode signals.

Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-7, wherein the aligningfurther comprises: determining a common parameter, including at leastone of a slope, a peak, or a sample variance, of at least a portion ofthe first plurality of higher order mode signals and at least a portionof the second plurality of higher order mode signals; and correlatingthe portion of the first plurality of higher order mode signals and theportion of the second plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain based on the common parameter.

Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-8, obtaining, at a drillbit, a drill bit depth measurement at approximately the initialrecording time.

Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-9, obtaining the drillbit depth measurement over the predetermined time interval.

Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-10, wherein alongitudinal distance between the drill bit and at least one of thefirst or second reference points is predetermined

Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-11, correlating a depthof at least one of the first or second reference points with the drillbit depth measurement.

Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-12, correlating thetime-shift to a distance between the first and second reference pointsso as to determine a velocity of the tool.

Example 14 can include a method of aligning a plurality of downholeelectromagnetic measurements, comprising: activating, at an initialrecording time and an operating frequency, a first transmitter antennain an arrangement along a longitudinal axis, the first transmitterantenna tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis; activating, at theinitial recording time and a substantially similar operating frequency,a second transmitter antenna in the arrangement, the second transmitterantenna disposed longitudinally from the first transmitter antenna alongthe longitudinal axis, the second transmitter antenna tilted withrespect to the longitudinal axis; collecting, at a receiver antenna, afirst plurality of azimuthal measurements associated with the firsttransmitter antenna, and a second plurality of azimuthal measurementsassociated with the second transmitter antenna, wherein the firstplurality of azimuthal measurements and the second plurality ofazimuthal measurements are offset from each other in the time-domain,wherein the receiver antenna is located between the first and secondtransmitter antennas, the receiver antenna tilted with respect to thelongitudinal axis;

-   processing the first plurality of azimuthal measurements to produce    a corresponding first plurality of higher order mode signals;    processing the second plurality of azimuthal measurements to produce    a corresponding second plurality of higher order mode signals; and    aligning the first plurality of higher order mode signals and the    second plurality of higher order mode signals in the time-domain.

Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Example 14, wherein the arrangement includes the first andsecond transmitter antennas separated by the receiver antenna, wherein afirst longitudinal distance from the first transmitter antenna to thereceiver antenna is substantially equal to a second longitudinaldistance from the second transmitter antenna to the receiver antenna,such that the receiver antenna is located at a longitudinal centerpoint.

Example 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-15, wherein theoperating frequency is selected according to the first or secondlongitudinal distance.

Example 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-16, wherein: the firsttransmitter antenna and the receiver antenna are spaced approximatelyequidistant from a first reference point, wherein the first plurality ofhigher order mode signals is associated with the first reference point;and the second transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna are spacedapproximately equidistant from a second reference point, wherein thesecond plurality of higher order mode signals is associated with thesecond reference point.

Example 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-17, wherein the firstand second plurality of azimuthal measurements are collected over apredetermined time interval.

Example 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-18, wherein the aligningfurther comprises: identifying a similarity as an identified similaritybetween the first plurality of higher order mode signals and the secondplurality of higher order mode signals; and time-shifting the first orsecond plurality of higher order mode signals such that the identifiedsimilarity of the first and the second plurality of higher order modesignals corresponds in the time-domain of either the first plurality ofhigher order mode signals or the second plurality of higher order modesignals.

Example 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-19, wherein the aligningfurther comprises: determining a common parameter, including at leastone of a slope, a peak, or a sample variance, of at least a portion ofthe first plurality of higher order mode signals and at least a portionof the second plurality of higher order mode signals; and correlatingthe portion of the first plurality of higher order mode signals and theportion of the second plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain based on the common parameter.

Example 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-20, obtaining, at adrill bit, a drill bit depth measurement at approximately the initialrecording time.

Example 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-21, obtaining the drillbit depth measurement over the predetermined time interval.

Example 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-22, wherein alongitudinal distance between the drill bit and at least one of thefirst or second reference points is known.

Example 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-23, correlating thedepth of at least one of the first or second reference points with thedrill bit depth.

Example 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-24, correlating thetime-shift to a distance between the first and second reference pointsso as to determine a velocity of a tool.

Example 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-25, processing thealigned first and second plurality of higher order mode signals toprovide a formation resistivity measurement.

Example 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 14-26, wherein the methodis conducted during a logging-while-drilling operation.

Example 28 can include a machine-readable storage medium havinginstructions stored thereon, which, when, performed by a machine, causethe machine to perform the method of with the subject matter of one orany combination of Examples 1-27.

Example 29 can include an apparatus to align a plurality of downholeelectromagnetic measurements, comprising: a tool having an arrangementof transmitter antennas and receiver antennas, each transmitter antennaconfigured to operate at a substantially similar operating frequency,along a longitudinal axis of the tool, the tool including: a first and asecond tilted transmitter antenna, the first tilted transmitter antennadisposed longitudinally above the second tilted transmitter antenna; afirst tilted receiver antenna disposed a predetermined first distancefrom the first tilted transmitter antenna, the first tilted transmitterantenna and the first tilted receiver antenna spaced approximatelyequidistant from a first reference point; and a second tilted receiverantenna disposed a predetermined second distance from the second tiltedtransmitter antenna, the second tilted transmitter antenna and thesecond tilted receiver antenna spaced approximately equidistant from asecond reference point, wherein the first and second reference pointsare disposed a predetermined third distance from each other; a drillbit, including a depth measurement device, wherein the depth measurementdevice is located at a fourth distance from at least one of the first orsecond reference points; and a processing unit configured to controlactivation of the transmitter antennas and the receiver antennas and toprocess a first plurality of electromagnetic measurements associatedwith the first reference point and a second plurality of electromagneticmeasurements associated with the second reference point.

Example 30 can include the subject matter of Example 29 wherein theprocessing unit is configured to operate according to one or anycombination of Examples 1-28.

Example 31 can include an apparatus to align a plurality of downholeelectromagnetic measurements, comprising: a first transmitter antennalocated along a longitudinal axis of a tool, the first transmitterantenna configured to operate at a first operating frequency, the firsttransmitter antenna tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis; asecond transmitter antenna located along the longitudinal axis of thetool, the second transmitter antenna configured to operate atsubstantially the same operating frequency, the second transmitterantenna tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis; a receiver antennalocated along the longitudinal axis and tilted with respect to thelongitudinal axis, the receiver antenna disposed a first distance fromthe first transmitter antenna, a first reference point being locatedalong the first distance and approximately equidistant from the firsttransmitter and the receiver antenna, the receiver antenna disposed at asecond distance, substantially equal to the first distance, from thesecond transmitter antenna, a second reference point being located alongthe second distance and approximately equidistant from the secondtransmitter and the receiver antenna, the receiver antenna configured toprovide a first plurality of electromagnetic measurements associatedwith the first reference point and a second plurality of electromagneticmeasurements associated with the second reference point; and a drillbit, including a depth measurement device, wherein the depth measurementdevice is a located at a predetermined distance from at least one of thefirst or second reference points; and a processing unit configured tocontrol activation of the transmitter antennas and receiver antennas andto process the first and second plurality of electromagneticmeasurements associated with the transmitter antennas and receiverantennas.

Example 32 can include the subject matter of Example 31 wherein theprocessing unit is configured to operate according to one or anycombination of Examples 1-28.

Example 33 can include a method of aligning a plurality of downholeelectromagnetic measurements, comprising: obtaining a drill bit depth ofa drill bit at an initial recording time; collecting a first pluralityof electromagnetic measurements at an operating frequency from a firsttilted transmitter antenna and a first tilted receiver antenna,separated from each other by a first longitudinal distance and disposedapproximately equidistant about a first reference point, the firstreference point located at a second longitudinal distance from the drillbit; collecting a second plurality of electromagnetic measurements, atsubstantially the same operating frequency, from a second tiltedtransmitter antenna and a second tilted receiver antenna, separated bysubstantially the same first longitudinal distance and disposedapproximately equidistant from a second reference point, different thanthe first reference point; collecting a third plurality ofelectromagnetic measurements, at substantially the same operatingfrequency, from a third tilted transmitter antenna and a third tiltedreceiver antenna, separated by substantially the same first longitudinaldistance and disposed approximately equidistant about a third referencepoint, different than the first and second reference points; processingthe first, second, and third plurality of electromagnetic measurementsto produce a corresponding first, second, and third plurality of higherorder mode signals, respectively; determining a depth of the firstreference point, based on the drill bit depth at the initial recordingtime and the second distance; aligning the first plurality of higherorder mode signals with the second plurality of higher order modesignals in the time-domain by a first time-shift; and aligning the firstplurality of higher order mode signals with the third plurality ofhigher order mode signals in the time-domain by a second time-shift.

Example 34 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Example 33, wherein aligning the first plurality of higherorder mode signals with second plurality of higher mode signalsincludes: determining a common parameter, including at least one of aslope, a peak, or a sample variance, of at least a portion of the firstplurality of higher order mode signals and at least a portion of thesecond plurality of higher order mode signals; and correlating theportion of the first plurality of higher order mode signals and theportion of the second plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain based on the common parameter.

Example 35 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 33-34, wherein aligning thefirst plurality of higher order mode signals with the third plurality ofhigher mode signals includes: determining a common parameter, includingat least one of a slope, a peak, or a sample variance, of at least aportion of the first plurality of higher order mode signals and at leasta portion of the third plurality of higher order mode signals; andcorrelating the portion of the first plurality of higher order modesignals and the portion of the third plurality of higher order modesignals in the time-domain based on the common parameter.

Example 36 can include, or can optionally be combined with any portionor combination of portions of any one or more of Examples 1-35 toinclude, subject matter of the present apparatus and method for aligningdownhole measurements.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way ofillustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The embodiments are submitted with the understanding that they will notbe used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen thatvarious features are grouped together in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimedembodiments require more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thusthe following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

1. A method of aligning a plurality of downhole electromagneticmeasurements, comprising: activating, at an initial recording time, afirst transmitter antenna in an arrangement along a longitudinal axis,the first transmitter antenna activated at an operating frequency;activating, at the initial recording time, a second transmitter antennain the arrangement, the second transmitter antenna disposedlongitudinally from the first transmitter antenna along the longitudinalaxis, the second transmitter antenna activated at substantially the sameoperating frequency as the first transmitter antenna; collecting at afirst receiver antenna a first plurality of azimuthal measurementsassociated with the first transmitter antenna; collecting at a secondreceiver antenna a second plurality of azimuthal measurements associatedwith the second transmitter antenna; processing the first plurality ofazimuthal measurements to produce a corresponding first plurality ofhigher order mode signals; processing the second plurality of azimuthalmeasurements to produce a corresponding second plurality of higher ordermode signals; and aligning the first plurality of higher order modesignals and the second plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain by a time-shift.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstand second transmitter antennas are separated by the first and secondreceiver antennas and arranged along the longitudinal axis of a toolwith the first transmitter antenna, the second transmitter antenna, thefirst receiver antenna, and the second receiver antenna having anon-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein a first longitudinal distance from the firsttransmitter antenna to the first receiver antenna is substantially equalto a second longitudinal distance from the second transmitter antenna tothe second receiver antenna.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein theoperating frequency is selected according to the first or secondlongitudinal distance.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the firsttransmitter antenna and the first receiver antenna are spacedapproximately equidistant from a first reference point, wherein thefirst plurality of higher order mode signals is associated with thefirst reference point; and the second transmitter antenna and the secondreceiver antenna are spaced approximately equidistant from a secondreference point, wherein the second plurality of higher order modesignals is associated with the second reference point.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of azimuthalmeasurements are collected over a predetermined time interval.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the aligning further comprises: identifying asimilarity as an identified similarity between the first plurality ofhigher order mode signals and the second plurality of higher order modesignals; and time-shifting the first or second plurality of higher ordermode signals such that the identified similarity corresponds to thetime-domain of either the first plurality of higher order mode signalsor the second plurality of higher order mode signals.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the aligning further comprises: determining a commonparameter, including at least one of a slope, a peak, or a samplevariance, of at least a portion of the first plurality of higher ordermode signals and at least a portion of the second plurality of higherorder mode signals; and correlating the portion of the first pluralityof higher order mode signals and the portion of the second plurality ofhigher order mode signals in the time-domain based on the commonparameter.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining, at adrill bit, a drill bit depth measurement at approximately the initialrecording time.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising obtainingthe drill bit depth measurement over the predetermined time interval.11. The method of claim 9, wherein a longitudinal distance between thedrill bit and at least one of the first or second reference points ispredetermined.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:correlating a depth of at least one of the first or second referencepoints with the drill bit depth measurement.
 13. The method of claim 5,further comprising: correlating the time-shift to a distance between thefirst and second reference points so as to determine a velocity of thetool.
 14. A method of aligning a plurality of downhole electromagneticmeasurements, comprising: activating, at an initial recording time andan operating frequency, a first transmitter antenna in an arrangementalong a longitudinal axis, the first transmitter antenna tilted withrespect to the longitudinal axis; activating, at the initial recordingtime and a substantially similar operating frequency, a secondtransmitter antenna in the arrangement, the second transmitter antennadisposed longitudinally from the first transmitter antenna along thelongitudinal axis, the second transmitter antenna tilted with respect tothe longitudinal axis; collecting, at a receiver antenna, a firstplurality of azimuthal measurements associated with the firsttransmitter antenna, and a second plurality of azimuthal measurementsassociated with the second transmitter antenna, wherein the firstplurality of azimuthal measurements and the second plurality ofazimuthal measurements are offset from each other in the time-domain,wherein the receiver antenna is located between the first and secondtransmitter antennas, the receiver antenna tilted with respect to thelongitudinal axis; processing the first plurality of azimuthalmeasurements to produce a corresponding first plurality of higher ordermode signals; processing the second plurality of azimuthal measurementsto produce a corresponding second plurality of higher order modesignals; and aligning the first plurality of higher order mode signalsand the second plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the arrangementincludes the first and second transmitter antennas separated by thereceiver antenna, wherein a first longitudinal distance from the firsttransmitter antenna to the receiver antenna is substantially equal to asecond longitudinal distance from the second transmitter antenna to thereceiver antenna, such that the receiver antenna is located at alongitudinal center point.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein theoperating frequency is selected according to the first or secondlongitudinal distance.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein: the firsttransmitter antenna and the receiver antenna are spaced approximatelyequidistant from a first reference point, wherein the first plurality ofhigher order mode signals is associated with the first reference point;and the second transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna are spacedapproximately equidistant from a second reference point, wherein thesecond plurality of higher order mode signals is associated with thesecond reference point.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the firstand second plurality of azimuthal measurements are collected over apredetermined time interval.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein thealigning further comprises: identifying a similarity as an identifiedsimilarity between the first plurality of higher order mode signals andthe second plurality of higher order mode signals; and time-shifting thefirst or second plurality of higher order mode signals such that theidentified similarity of the first and the second plurality of higherorder mode signals corresponds in the time-domain of either the firstplurality of higher order mode signals or the second plurality of higherorder mode signals.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the aligningfurther comprises: determining a common parameter, including at leastone of a slope, a peak, or a sample variance, of at least a portion ofthe first plurality of higher order mode signals and at least a portionof the second plurality of higher order mode signals; and correlatingthe portion of the first plurality of higher order mode signals and theportion of the second plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain based on the common parameter.
 21. The method of claim 14,further comprising: obtaining, at a drill bit, a drill bit depthmeasurement at approximately the initial recording time.
 22. The methodof claim 21, further comprising: obtaining the drill bit depthmeasurement over the predetermined time interval.
 23. The method ofclaim 17, wherein a longitudinal distance between the drill bit and atleast one of the first or second reference points is known.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, further comprising: correlating the depth of atleast one of the first or second reference points with the drill bitdepth.
 25. The method of claim 17, further comprising: correlating thetime-shift to a distance between the first and second reference pointsso as to determine a velocity of a tool.
 26. The method of claim 14,further comprising: processing the aligned first and second plurality ofhigher order mode signals to provide a formation resistivitymeasurement.
 27. The method of claim 14, wherein the method is conductedduring a logging-while-drilling operation.
 28. A machine-readablestorage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when,performed by a machine, cause the machine to perform the method of claim14.
 29. An apparatus to align a plurality of downhole electromagneticmeasurements, comprising: a tool having an arrangement of transmitterantennas and receiver antennas, each transmitter antenna configured tooperate at a substantially similar operating frequency, along alongitudinal axis of the tool, the tool including: a first and a secondtilted transmitter antenna, the first tilted transmitter antennadisposed longitudinally above the second tilted transmitter antenna; afirst tilted receiver antenna disposed a predetermined first distancefrom the first tilted transmitter antenna, the first tilted transmitterantenna and the first tilted receiver antenna spaced approximatelyequidistant from a first reference point; and a second tilted receiverantenna disposed a predetermined second distance from the second tiltedtransmitter antenna, the second tilted transmitter antenna and thesecond tilted receiver antenna spaced approximately equidistant from asecond reference point, wherein the first and second reference pointsare disposed a predetermined third distance from each other; a drillbit, including a depth measurement device, wherein the depth measurementdevice is located at a fourth distance from at least one of the first orsecond reference points; and a processing unit configured to controlactivation of the transmitter antennas and the receiver antennas and toprocess a first plurality of electromagnetic measurements associatedwith the first reference point and a second plurality of electromagneticmeasurements associated with the second reference point.
 30. Anapparatus to align a plurality of downhole electromagnetic measurements,comprising: a first transmitter antenna located along a longitudinalaxis of a tool, the first transmitter antenna configured to operate at afirst operating frequency, the first transmitter antenna tilted withrespect to the longitudinal axis; a second transmitter antenna locatedalong the longitudinal axis of the tool, the second transmitter antennaconfigured to operate at substantially the same operating frequency, thesecond transmitter antenna tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis;a receiver antenna located along the longitudinal axis and tilted withrespect to the longitudinal axis, the receiver antenna disposed a firstdistance from the first transmitter antenna, a first reference pointbeing located along the first distance and approximately equidistantfrom the first transmitter and the receiver antenna, the receiverantenna disposed at a second distance, substantially equal to the firstdistance, from the second transmitter antenna, a second reference pointbeing located along the second distance and approximately equidistantfrom the second transmitter and the receiver antenna, the receiverantenna configured to provide a first plurality of electromagneticmeasurements associated with the first reference point and a secondplurality of electromagnetic measurements associated with the secondreference point; and a drill bit, including a depth measurement device,wherein the depth measurement device is a located at a predetermineddistance from at least one of the first or second reference points; anda processing unit configured to control activation of the transmitterantennas and receiver antennas and to process the first and secondplurality of electromagnetic measurements associated with thetransmitter antennas and receiver antennas.
 31. A method of aligning aplurality of downhole electromagnetic measurements, comprising:obtaining a drill bit depth of a drill bit at an initial recording time;collecting a first plurality of electromagnetic measurements at anoperating frequency from a first tilted transmitter antenna and a firsttilted receiver antenna, separated from each other by a firstlongitudinal distance and disposed approximately equidistant about afirst reference point, the first reference point located at a secondlongitudinal distance from the drill bit; collecting a second pluralityof electromagnetic measurements, at substantially the same operatingfrequency, from a second tilted transmitter antenna and a second tiltedreceiver antenna, separated by substantially the same first longitudinaldistance and disposed approximately equidistant from a second referencepoint, different than the first reference point; collecting a thirdplurality of electromagnetic measurements, at substantially the sameoperating frequency, from a third tilted transmitter antenna and a thirdtilted receiver antenna, separated by substantially the same firstlongitudinal distance and disposed approximately equidistant about athird reference point, different than the first and second referencepoints; processing the first, second, and third plurality ofelectromagnetic measurements to produce a corresponding first, second,and third plurality of higher order mode signals, respectively;determining a depth of the first reference point, based on the drill bitdepth at the initial recording time and the second distance; aligningthe first plurality of higher order mode signals with the secondplurality of higher order mode signals in the time-domain by a firsttime-shift; and aligning the first plurality of higher order modesignals with the third plurality of higher order mode signals in thetime-domain by a second time-shift.
 32. The method of claim 31, whereinaligning the first plurality of higher order mode signals with secondplurality of higher mode signals includes: determining a commonparameter, including at least one of a slope, a peak, or a samplevariance, of at least a portion of the first plurality of higher ordermode signals and at least a portion of the second plurality of higherorder mode signals; and correlating the portion of the first pluralityof higher order mode signals and the portion of the second plurality ofhigher order mode signals in the time-domain based on the commonparameter.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein aligning the firstplurality of higher order mode signals with the third plurality ofhigher mode signals includes: determining a common parameter, includingat least one of a slope, a peak, or a sample variance, of at least aportion of the first plurality of higher order mode signals and at leasta portion of the third plurality of higher order mode signals; andcorrelating the portion of the first plurality of higher order modesignals and the portion of the third plurality of higher order modesignals in the time-domain based on the common parameter.